One player has filled his fantasies in recent weeks after the Golden State Warriors traded Andrew Wiggins for Jimmy Butler.
The deal paid off quickly when the Golden State Warriors, along with Andrew Wiggins, traded roleplayers and draft pick smattering for Jimmy Butler. Since Butler arrived, the Warriors are 23-7, looking at some of the title contenders.
After progressing through the NBA Play-In Tournament, Dove defeated the Houston Rockets in Game 1, 95-85. At the defensive Slugfest, Stephen Curry scored 31 points and Butler provided 25 points, but it was the Warriors’ defense that passed Houston.
Neither Jalen Green nor Fred Vanvleet posted more than 10 points, and the often overlooked player appeared as one of the best defenders in the Warriors, one of the best team defenses in the league.
Since Butler came to the team, Moses Moody has taken on a bigger role. He not only started 29 of his last 30 games, but also improved his game, especially in defense.
Against the Rockets, he was tasked with defending Jalen Green for most of the game, earning a high reputation with 7 points in three-fifths of shooting.
“In the last 20 games he moved to four spots before Jimmy came here, but since Jimmy Butler arrived he really picked up where Andrew Wiggins left off and got the best boundary player from the other team,” Chris Mullen said. “
That’s a big factor. When Vanvleet and Jalen Green are fighting that way, you can overcome their second chance point. ”
The Warriors, led by Butler, Curry and often Brandin Posiemsky, have many scoring options, so Moody can ask him to focus on where he is superior.
“There’s a reason they play Moses Moody for minutes,” added Festus Ezeli. “People are looking at the box scores, looking at the points. No, he’s in the game to stop one of the best scorers at Jalen Green. The game is different until Jalen Green reaches Paint from the 3-point line.”
Green is one of the most muscular players in the NBA, but can earn 35 points on any night. Moody’s defense completely eliminated the threat.
“Moses Moody, it was his only mission, just a defense point, a point of attack, a defense of the main ball handler,” Ezeli finished.
“Sometimes we saw him at Jalen Green, sometimes he saw him at Fred Vanvriet. I thought he had done an incredible job of the entire game for so long.
During the 2024 offseason, the Warriors extended Moody three seasons, earning $37.5 million over the last three years. They were unable to agree to a similar extension with Jonathan Cuminga. And his modest salary makes it easier for the Warriors to keep him on the roster even when they’re approaching the second apron.
Moody has been a successful defensive stopper on both starters and reserves this season, and the Warriors seem to have very limited windows.
Curry, Butler and Green have all been signed only three more seasons. The Warriors build a roster around the trio’s stars in order to try to add another banner to the Chase Center. Moody proves that unlike Kuminga he fits in.
Of course, his trade value this summer will be the highest ever, but Golden State likely won’t be interested in adding another superstar, so quality role players will become a priority and Moody will fit the bill.